Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HC1001Grumman A-6E Intruder 160428, VA-34 "Blue Blasters", US Navy, late 1970s
General Background
Designed to meet a US Navy requirement for an all-weather carrier-based attack/strike aircraft, the A-6 Intruder was first flown on April 19th, 1960. The A-6 was equipped with a CRT that allowed for low-level flight in all weather conditions, a characteristic that helped it remain the US Navy and US Marine Corps' principle night and all-weather attack aircraft through the 1990s. With its large, blunt nose and lean tail, the A-6 was given a variety of unflattering nicknames, including "Double Ugly" and the "Drumstick." The A-6 served in Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Somalia and Bosnia and was ultimately replaced by the F-14 Tomcat.
